South Carolina has a freedom of information act which allows the citizens to be informed of the activities of public officials and to have access to public documents and meetings. There are some exceptions to this rule such as trade secrets, information that would constitute unreasonable invasion of personal privacy or records in an ongoing criminal investigation. The South Carolina Code of Laws gives the list of exceptions in its entirety. South Carolina joined the United States on May 23, 1788, as the eighth state of the Union. There are 46 counties and 269 incorporated cities and towns in the state. The capital and largest city is Columbia. South Carolina is known as the first state to secede from the Union on December 20, 1860, but it was restored to the United States during reconstruction after the Civil War. Find information on property records and taxes from the South Carolina Department of Revenue. Search for South Carolina public records fast and easily using a multitude of research sources. Request copies of birth, death, marriage or divorce certificates from the Department of Health. There are wonderful facts and figures from the census bureau on the education and background history of the residents of the state. You can get an idea of the local economy by studying the data on companies and firms doing business in South Carolina as well as information on current housing and real estate data. Link to a citizens search site to request copies of criminal history records. By accessing the county websites you can learn about the local governments and check the records that they make available to the public. To get an even better feel for life in South Carolina, search the city websites to get information on the services and attractions available at the local level. The South Carolina Judicial Department has information on the state court system and how to obtain court records. Keep tabs on the the ever changing headlines and crime reports for South Carolina. Be sure to check this site frequently for new sources and updated information.

South Carolina Latest Crime Records, Last recorded (2013) Updated 03/03/2015

Total Violent Crime:

24,278

Murder And Nonnegligent Manslaughter:

297

Rape:

2,171

Robbery:

3,972

Aggravated Assault:

17,838

Total Property Crime:

173,049

Burglary:

40,958

Larceny Theft:

119,511

Motor Vehicle Theft:

12,580

South Carolina Census Data

Information About People and Demographics

Total population of persons residing within the state in 2010

4,625,364

Estimate of the state's total residency as of April 1, 2000

4,011,832

Percentage change of the total resident population as of April 1, 2000 to April 1, 2010

15%

Net change of residents' total population from April 1, 2000 to April 1, 2010

613,352

April 1, 2000 complete count of statewide resident population

4,012,012

Population estimate of residents less than 5 years of age

311,013

July 1, 2009 estimated percentage of residents that are less than 5 years of age

7%

July 1, 2009 estimate of residents that are less than 18 years of age

1,080,732

July 1, 2009 estimated percentage of residents that are less than 18 years of age

24%

July 1, 2009 percentage estimate of residents that are 65 years of age and older

14%

July 1, 2009 estimate of residents that are 65 years of age and older

623,223

July 1, 2009 total estimate percentage of female residents

51%

State's white resident population recorded in 2010

3,060,000

State's black resident population recorded in 2010

1,290,684

State's American Indian and Alaska Native resident populations recorded in 2010

19,524

State's Asian resident population recorded in 2010

59,051

State's Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander resident population recorded in 2010

2,706

Statewide 2010 resident population of two or more races

79,935

Statewide 2010 resident population of Hispanic or Latino origin

235,682

Non Hispanic white resident population in 2010

2,962,740

Statewide percentage of white residents in 2010

66%

Statewide percentage of black residents in 2010

28%

Statewide percentage of American Indian and Alaska Native residents in 2010

0%

Statewide percentage of Asian residents in 2010

1%

Statewide percentage of Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander in 2010

0%

Statewide percentage of Two or more races in 2010

2%

Statewide percentage of Hispanic or Latino Origin in 2010

5%

Statewide percentage of non Hispanic white in 2010

64%

Vital Statistics

Births and deaths occurring in South Carolina

Births 2007

62,875

Deaths 2007

39,439

Infant death occurring within the state of persons one year of age or less in 2007

539

Percentage of persons with the same residence of one year or more from 2005 to 2009

84%

Resident Background Information

Education and background history of South Carolina Residents

Percentage of foreign born population in the state from 2005 to 2009

4%

Percentage of residents 5 years of age and older that speak languages other than English at home from 2005 to 2009

6%

Percentage of persons from 25 years of age and older with high a school education or higher from 2005 to 2009

82%

Percentage of persons from 25 years of age and older with bachelor's degree or higher from 2005 to 2009

24%

Total number of Veterans from 2005 to 2009

398,340

Current Housing and Real Estate Data

Households located in South Carolina

Average time spent commuting to work for person 16 years and over not working from their personal residence between 2005-2009

23 Min

Housing unit estimates as of July 1, 2009

2,084,231

Net change of housing units estimates as of April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2009